On September 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces carried out a strike in international waters of the southern Caribbean, targeting a vessel allegedly transporting narcotics for the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, resulting in 11 deaths. Trump shared night-vision footage on his platform, calling it a warning to would-be traffickers. The U.S. labelled Tren de Aragua a "narco-terrorist" group operating under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a claim Caracas rejected and denounced the video as potentially AI-generated. This occurred amid a heightened U.S. naval deployment in the Caribbean intended to combat drug trafficking—a move that Maduro criticized as imperialist and provocative. (PC: Sky News)

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved steps to ease compliance for businesses. Registration time for MSMEs and start-ups will be reduced from 30 days to just three. Exporters will also get automated refunds. The council is considering a major tax overhaul by cutting four slabs to two. Many goods from the 28% slab may shift to 18%, while several from 12% could move to 5%. This aims to lower prices of daily-use items and boost demand. However, states like Tamil Nadu and Bengal fear revenue losses of Rs 50,000 crore and may seek compensation. (PC: NDTV)

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed optimism on September 3, 2025, that negotiations on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) would reach a “decisive conclusion” soon, following talks with his German counterpart during a two-day diplomatic visit . Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reaffirmed his country’s full backing for rapid finalisation of the FTA and pledged to leverage its influence with the European Commission to drive progress . Dialogue also covered deeper cooperation in sectors like green hydrogen, defence, technology, semiconductor manufacturing, and export control mechanisms. (PC: Reuters)  

China held a massive military parade in Beijing to mark 80 years since victory over Japan in World War Two. President Xi Jinping unveiled new weapons, including nuclear missiles, giant underwater drones and a powerful laser system. Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un joined Xi at the event, along with dozens of other world leaders. It was the first time the three leaders appeared together. On the sidelines, Kim told Putin it was North Korea’s “fraternal duty” to help Russia in Ukraine. Donald Trump reacted online, accusing them of plotting against the US. (PC: BBC)

Heavy rain has brought Delhi-NCR to a standstill with severe waterlogging in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Key areas like Safdarjung, Connaught Place and India Gate remain flooded. At Delhi airport, 273 departures and 73 arrivals were delayed till 5 pm, causing chaos for passengers. Roads near IGI Airport and several stretches in Gurugram are submerged. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red, orange and yellow alerts for different zones of Delhi. The Yamuna river has risen to 207.19 metres, forcing evacuation of over 7,500 people. Relief camps have been set up, while rescue teams remain on high alert. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump again claimed that India offered him a “no tariffs” deal after he placed a 50% levy on Indian goods. Speaking on The Scott Jennings Radio Show, Trump called India the “most tariffed nation” in the world. He said his tariff strategy forced New Delhi to change its stance. “India kills us with tariffs,” Trump said, adding that his decision led India to make a big offer. Trump also compared India with China and Brazil, saying all three countries used high tariffs. He stressed tariffs were his key tool to secure better trade terms. (PC: HT)

Delhi is on high alert as the Yamuna river crossed the 207-metre mark on Wednesday after heavy rains. This is the fifth time since 1963 the river has swelled beyond this level. The Central Water Commission said the Yamuna may rise further to 207.40 metres by 8 pm. Water has entered homes and shops in low-lying areas, forcing families to move to safer places. Many displaced residents said they have no food or toilets. The Old Railway Bridge has been closed for traffic. IMD has forecast more rainfall with thunder and strong winds in Delhi and nearby states. (PC: AFP)

Cricket legend Wasim Akram put an end to comparisons with India’s Jasprit Bumrah, likening the debate to “begano ki shaadi mein Abdullah deewana”—a way of saying the comparisons are inevitable, but pointless. Speaking on GEO TV’s Haarna Mana Hai, Akram praised Bumrah’s unique action, pace, and the management by the Indian board, calling him a “modern-day great” and noting that cross-era comparisons—Bumrah bats right-handed, while Akram bowled left-arm—don’t hold much meaning . Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron echoed this praise, saying Bumrah has already surpassed Akram in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) wicket tallies—an endorsement of his extraordinary talent. (PC: The Indian EXPRESS)

Hundreds of women clad in pink assembled outside Indonesia’s parliament in Jakarta on September 3, 2025, brandishing brooms to “sweep away” governmental corruption and police repression. Organized by the Alliance of Indonesian Women, the demonstration called for reforms to police brutality and excessive perks granted to lawmakers. The protest follows recent unrest triggered by a police vehicle striking and killing a motorcycle taxi driver, which has led to at least 10 deaths and incidents of looting and rioting. President Prabowo Subianto, who labeled the unrest as tantamount to terrorism or treason, left for a military parade in China. Both Indonesia’s human rights commission and the UN have urged investigations into security force conduct during the unrest. (PC: Reuters)

India and Russia are discussing new deliveries of S-400 missile systems, a senior Russian defence official confirmed. India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Moscow in 2018 for five S-400 systems to counter China’s military strength. The final two units from that order will arrive in 2026 and 2027. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised India for not giving in to US pressure to halt purchases from Russia. Despite rising imports from France and Israel, Russia remains India’s largest defence supplier, accounting for 36% of imports between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. (PC: X)